Scottish Cup: Celtic´s last chance for silverware

Midfielder Marc Crosas believes the Scottish Cup remains Celtic’s only realistic chance of silverware this season.

The Hoops trail rivals Rangers by 13 points in the Scottish Premier League and were knocked out the League Cup by Hearts at the end of last year.

Spaniard Crosas and his teammates travel to Rugby Park on Saturday to take on Kilmarnock for a place in the Scottish Cup semi-finals.

Pressure is on the Hoops to make sure they don’t end the season trophy-less but Croasas says the players are used to the demands put on them by their fans.

“When you play for Celtic you have the demand to win all of the games and to win titles,” he said.

“The way it’s been going this season, it’s the only chance maybe we’ve got to win a trophy so we have the pressure on us – but I think we always have.”

However, his manager denies the Scottish Cup has taken on any more importance with the club this season.

Tony Mowbray says they will continue to try and will all their matches in the slim hope of winning a domestic double.

“The club tries to finish every season with a trophy – it’s no more important or less important this year,” said Mowbray.

“Every season we try and win every competition we are in and every year we try and win the Scottish Cup, it’s a big part of the club’s history. We strive to win every match. That’s the aim.

“There are 10 games still to go in the league and we will keep fighting on that front and try and win them all. But this cup game at Kilmarnock is not more or less important than it always has been at this club.”

It is just over a month since Celtic’s last visit to Rugby Park when Killie dealt their championship hopes a major blow with a 1-0 win.

Celtic have major injury worries ahead of Saturday’s game with defenders Thomas Rogne, Jos Hoovield and Glenn Loovens joined on the sidelines by Niall McGinn and Pat McCourt.

On-loan Diomansy Kamara could also miss out after collecting a hamstring injury while on international duty with Senegal.

Kilmarnock will be hoping striker Kevin Kyle can recover from a groin injury in time for the game.

Dundee host Raith Rovers in an all First Division clash. The Dens Park side are flying high at the top of the table but Rovers will take confidence from their win over Aberdeen in the last round.

Hibernian’s 108-year quest to win the Scottish Cup continues as they host Ross County at Easter Road in their quarter-final.

On Sunday, Rangers face Dundee United at Ibrox as they look to take the next step on their way to a potential treble.

Central defender Madjid Bougherra is the only real injury doubt for Walter Smith’s side who have now gone 20 games without defeat while the Ibrox side are looking to reach their six successive domestic cup final.

Manager Peter Houston says his side are desperate to make amends for the 7-1 thrashing they suffered the last time they visited Ibrox on league duty in December.

“We didn’t do ourselves justice last time we were at Ibrox,” said Houston.

United will be without captain Andy Webster, who is ineligible due to the conditions of his loan move from Rangers.

Fixtures (1500 GMT unless otherwise stated)

Saturday

Dundee v Raith Rovers, Hibernian v Ross County (1400), Kilmarnock v Celtic (1215)

Sunday

Rangers v Dundee United (1205)